Collecting, Storing, and Hatching Aedes aegypti Eggs
- Noah H. Rose1,2,6,
- John J. Shepard3,6 and
- Diego Ayala4,5,6
- 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- 2Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- 3Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
- 4MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier BP 64501, 34394, France
- 5Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo BP1274, 101, Madagascar
- ↵6Correspondence: noahr{at}princeton.edu; John.shepard{at}ct.gov; diego.ayala{at}ird.fr
Abstract
Laboratory study of natural populations of mosquitoes can play a key role in determining the underlying causes of variation in burdens of mosquito-borne disease. Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the viruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, making it a high priority for laboratory study. Ae. aegypti eggs provide an ideal starting point for new laboratory colonies. Eggs can be collected using ovicups, which are small plastic cups lined with seed-germination paper and partially filled with leaf-infused H2O. Once collected, dry eggs will remain viable for months and can be safely transported long distances back to the laboratory as long as they are properly stored. This protocol provides step-by-step instructions for preparing for collecting, storing, and hatching Ae. aegypti eggs and has successfully yielded laboratory colonies from locations across both the native and invasive range of this species.
Footnotes
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From the Mosquitoes collection, edited by Laura B. Duvall and Benjamin J. Matthews.
